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Catholic Theological College / Community / In Memoriam / Associate Professor Adam Cooper

Associate Professor Adam Cooper

Associate Professor Adam Glyn Cooper (1969–2026).

The Catholic Theological College community is mourning the passing of our colleague and friend Associate Professor Adam Cooper on Thursday 1st January 2026, aged 56.

Adam died in hospital from complications following recent surgeries required to manage the advancing cancer. He had undergone a range of surgeries and treatments since the diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer in April 2024. Adam faced the severe challenges of his condition with peacefulness, faith and determination to live as fully as possible each day. It has been such a blessing that his spiritual strength, health care, and treatments have allowed Adam to enjoy a considerable amount of time in relatively good health since his diagnosis.

Adam was Associate Professor in Theology and Church History at CTC from 2018 until retirement due to his medical condition in January 2025. He lectured and researched in the fields of patristic theology, church history, and theological anthropology, and he supervised students in coursework units and research dissertations. He served on the CTC Academic Board. He maintained a consistent record of research outputs in international academic publishing houses. Adam was a well-respected and warmly appreciated colleague of the staff of CTC and Mannix Library. He was also highly regarded by students and was regularly commended for his teaching excellence.

From 2008–2017, Adam was a faculty member of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, where he served as Associate Dean for Research, and undertook lecturing, supervision, and research activities. He lectured in the areas of Christian theology, patristics, theological anthropology, and John Paul II’s theology of the body. Adam was appointed a Permanent Fellow of the Institute. From 2002-2007, he held part-time lecturing positions at the University of Melbourne, United Faculty of Theology Melbourne, and Luther College Adelaide. He was an Honorary Fellow of the Department of History University of Melbourne, 2004–2011.

Adam completed the Bachelor of Theology as part of the ministry training program at Luther Seminary Adelaide. He served as Parish Pastor for the Lutheran Church in Australia and the UK and was a member of various church committees and ecumenical activities. In 2002, he completed a doctoral dissertation (PhD) under the supervision of Professor Andew Louth at Durham University, subsequently published as “The Body in St Maximus the Confessor: Holy Flesh, Wholly Deified” (OUP, 2005). At the John Paul II Institute of the Pontifical Lateran University, Adam completed the Licentiate in Systematic Theology (STL) in 2009, and the doctorate (STD) in 2011 with a dissertation titled “Deification in Modern Catholic Theology: Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, Karl Rahner, and Henri de Lubac,” published by Fortress Press in 2014.

Adam’s recent publications include “Holy Eros: A Liturgical Theology of the Body” (2014), “The Reception of Aquinas in Nouvelle théologie” (2021), and “Deification through the Liturgy: The Mystagogia of Maximus the Confessor” (2022). His final publication, completed with assistance of CTC colleagues, is “Thomas the Twin: Constructing an Apostolic Personality,” New Blackfriars (2025).

Adam was a member of the Editorial Board of “Phronema: Annual Review of St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College.” He was a member of the International Association of Patristic Studies and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies. He was formerly a Co-Convenor of the Australian Patristics Symposia, 2012–2016. He was a sought-after presenter at academic symposia and public faith education events in Australia and internationally.

Adam’s earthly pilgrimage ended on the feast of Mary Mother of God, the most ancient of the Christian commemorations of the mother of Jesus. It is a fitting memorial for a scholar and believer so deeply formed by the patristic vision of this world and of the life to come. We commend him to the prayers of Our Lady and to the eternal embrace of the Lord.

The College community extends prayerful sympathy and grateful remembrance to Adam’s family, loved ones, and many friends.

Funeral services will be held in Adelaide and Horsham. CTC will include prayers for Adam and his family at our 2026 Opening Mass on 27 February.